Jamshedpur: Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Thursday unveiled the statue of freedom fighter Chanaku Mahato in Bhalukbindha village under Chakulia Block of East Singhbhum district.
Paying homage to the courage and sacrifice of the martyr, the Governor said that the statue is not merely a sculpture but a living memory of history that will continue to inspire future generations with the spirit of patriotism. He described Chanaku Mahato as not just a great freedom fighter but also a pioneer of public awareness for the protection of rights.
Referring to Chanaku Mahato’s iconic slogan, “Aapon maati, aapon daana, pet kaati nahi deban khajana” (Our land, our grain, we will not give revenue by starving), the Governor highlighted the mass movement led by Mahato in the Santhal Pargana region as a significant uprising preceding the historic Hul rebellion. He noted that Mahato, along with his companions, initiated an organised resistance and later actively participated in the Hul revolution under the leadership of Sidho and Kanhu.
Recalling his recent visit to Bhognadih in Sahibganj district, the birthplace of Sidho-Kanhu, the Governor shared that he had the privilege of meeting their descendants and paid his respects at the sacred site.
Emphasising the need to preserve the legacy of freedom fighters, the Governor called upon university students to visit the villages of such heroes, conduct research, and make efforts to secure their rightful place in history.
Touching upon the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, he expressed the nation’s collective outrage. He condemned the brutal killing of innocent civilians, targeted based on religion and murdered in front of their families. The Governor praised the Indian Army’s swift and precise response under ‘Operation Sindoor,’ which targeted terror camps and training centres inside Pakistan.
“This is a new India,” he declared. “India desires peace, but if humanity is attacked, it knows how to strike back on the battlefield. We do not provoke anyone, but if provoked, we do not spare anyone.”
The Governor commended the Chanaku Mahato Memorial Committee for their commendable initiative and stated that the statue would serve as a lasting inspiration for future generations to embrace patriotism.
